Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

May 30, 1997 · Cessna 152 · N66980

Chesterfield, MO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 30, 1997
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Chesterfield, MO
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N66980
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI97LA152

The student pilot was on his first solo flight, and landed at 55 knots with full flaps. The flaps down stall speed for this model airplane is listed as 43 knots. After touchdown the airplane was left of the runway centerline so the pilot corrected and retracted the wing flaps. The airplane returned close to the centerline at which time the pilot put the carburetor heat selector to the off position and applied full throttle. The pilot then overcompensated with the right rudder input, which was followed by an overcompensation with left rudder. The airplane then went off the left side of the runway into soft terrain with standing water and flipped over on its back.

NTSB Probable Cause

the student pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane by overcompensating with the rudder. Factors associated with the accident were the excessive airspeed and the soft terrain.

Full Narrative

On May 29, 1997, at 2050 central daylight time a Cessna 152, N66980, piloted by a student pilot on his first solo flight was substantially damaged when the airplane went off the left side of runway 26R (3,800'x75' asphalt) and flipped over at the Spirit of St. Louis Airport, Chesterfield, Missouri. The student pilot was uninjured in the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight. The student pilot submitted a written reported to the investigator in charge (IIC) on NTSB Form 6120.1/2. The student pilot reported that he and his instructor went out away from the airport and practiced stalls and turns before returning to the airport. After returning to the airport the pilot reported that with his instructor in the airplane he executed two touch and go landings. After the second landing the student pilot reported that the instructor was dropped off on the taxiway, and he taxied out for his first solo flight. The pilot executed a takeoff and reported that because of another airplane cutting in front of him he needed to execute a 360 degree turn before landing. The pilot reported that the airplane touched down at 55 knots, and that full flaps were used for the landing. The flaps down stall speed for this model aircraft is listed at 43 knots. The pilot reported that after the airplane touched down it was left of centerline so he corrected with right rudder and retracted the wing flaps. After returning close to the centerline of the runway the pilot reported that he selected the carburetor heat to the off position and applied full throttle. The pilot reported that he "overcompensated" with the right rudder input, which was followed by an overcompensation with left rudder. Following the overcompensation to the left the airplane went off the left side of the runway into soft terrain with standing water and flipped over on its back. No mechanical malfunctions were reported by the pilot of the airplane. The airplane's wing tips were damaged. The right wing spar was buckled with a crack in the spar cap.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:50 CDT
Nearest AirportSpirit Of St. Louis (0nm N)
Runway26R
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN66980
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 59
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data